Sen. Jason A. Barickman

Amends the Illinois Optometric Practice Act of 1987. Allows optometrists to employ or engage the services of any optical laboratory, without restriction, to construct, fabricate, manufacture, or repair optical lenses, ophthalmic lenses, other vision corrective lenses, including, but not limited to, progressive lenses and bifocals and trifocals, and prisms. Allows the optical laboratory employed by an optometrist to subcontract with another optical laboratory for all or a portion of the services, with the optometrist's knowledge. Effective January 1, 2017.

Amends the Counties Code and the Code of Civil Procedure to reverse the changes made by Public Act 98-1132 concerning jury compensation and composition. Further amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Makes changes in Sections concerning: the filing of affidavits in medical malpractice cases attesting to the merits of the cause of action; reductions in the amount of recovery; interest on judgments; and admissions of liability and expressions of sympathy. Adds provisions concerning the use of federal law pay or guidelines in medical malpractice and medical product liability cases. Effective immediately.

Amends the Prevailing Wage Act. Deletes provisions regarding investigatory hearings by the Department of Labor regarding new wage classifications. Requires the creation of any new prevailing wage classification to be promulgated by administrative rule by the Department of Labor in accordance with the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.

Amends the Financial Reporting Standards Board Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides for the seizure of a vessel, vehicle or aircraft used with the knowledge and consent of the owner in the commission of home repair fraud or aggravated home repair fraud.

Designates the portion of Illinois Route 116 from Roanoke to Metamora as the SPC Phillip J. Pannier Memorial Highway.

Mourns the death of Stephen H. Bauer of Urbana.

Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides that upon payment of an annual administrative fee not exceeding $100, during the first 3 calendar quarters an employer may pay its quarterly contributions due for wages in equal installments. Establishes a schedule for payment of the contributions. Provides for the accrual of interest. Authorizes the issuance of necessary rules. Provides that payment on a quarterly basis is not available for calendar years when there are outstanding bonds under the Illinois Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund Financing Act.

Amends the State Employee Health Savings Account Law. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Illinois Identification Card Act and the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows the issuance of an identification card or a driver's license with a veteran designation to a member of the armed forces, including a member of any reserve component or National Guard unit, regardless of whether he or she served on active duty. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.